No. 13 Buffalo (plus-9) vs. No. 4 Arizona (South/Thursday): Expecting a lengthy run from Arizona this month. It won’t be problem-free, but Buffalo doesn’t have the defense to contain the Cats. Pick: Arizona.

No. 14 Montana (plus-12) vs. No. 3 Michigan (West/Thursday): Skeptical about Big Ten teams in the first round after their long layoff (resulting from the early conference tournament). At the very least, I expect slow starts. And a slow start plus 12 points is too good to pass up. Pick: Montana.

No. 14 Bucknell (plus-14) vs. No. 3 Michigan State (Midwest/Friday): Similar thought here with MSU and its layoff, plus the distractions caused by media love — the Spartans are a popular pick to win the title — and the Bison’s tournament experience. (They lost to West Virginia by six in the first round last year.) Pick: Bucknell.

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